I know. Bitcoins are too valuable to spend.
Well at least somebody is optimistic
. Just kidding though. You're definitely on point Weex and I expect most people will agree. Robert
Topic: On Bitcoin donations - page 2. (Read 2335 times)
Well at least somebody is optimistic
. Just kidding though. You're definitely on point Weex and I expect most people will agree. Robert
I'm writing this somewhat off-the-cuff so bear with me if I ramble a bit...I must get this off my chest this Sunday.
Bitcoin and it's users, the proverbial We, have a great interest, both collective and individual, in spreading Bitcoin far and wide.
We make websites, services, exchanges, spend money, spend time, even re-orient our lives to attempt to pull people into our economy. And for every action there are 3.71 discussions about how to reach the goal. The thing is many of these discussions are premised on a suggestion that fails at the question "And then what?"
Send Bitcoins to Wikileaks. And then what? (well this actually works)
Send Bitcoins to the EFF. And then what? (marginally useful for a limited time but is now impossible)
Get the Red Cross to accept Bitcoins and we'll give them a ton! ... ... And then what!?
Most likely they'll turn them into dollars, euros, or yen and we're back to where we were. In our hubris, we value Bitcoin so highly that we assume the rest of the world will as well if only they had some.
It won't work.
Don't get me wrong, donation is a valuable and noble act. Through donation we can empower people with the resources they need to accomplish their mission. But let's not confuse donation with promotion; the giving of the thing with the receiver valuing that thing, the advertised acceptance of something for donation with a strong, heart-felt endorsement.
How many people actually make a decision about what payment network or currency they use based on which charities accept it?
My goal with this post is not to say let's stop donating. It's good to be charitable if you can afford it.
My wish is instead for people to stop thinking of donation as an effective way to promote Bitcoin. Donation isn't a way to grow the Bitcoin economy.
Economies grow by creating value. When you paint a house, the house is now more valuable. To grow the Bitcoin economy create value in Bitcoin. Provide your goods and services preferentially(that means give a discount) for Bitcoin. Let your customers know you accept Bitcoin and give them a discount (consider the time involved in getting setup with Bitcoin to get this discount...even after that it needs to be worthwhile).
To enable people to create value in Bitcoin, if you have to buy an item or commission a service, look for it first in Bitcoin. Ask if those you're currently paying would accept Bitcoin.
Finally, when you see people who are being proactive in offering goods and services for Bitcoin, support them.
I know. Bitcoins are too valuable to spend. The solution is simple, have your dollars, euros, and yen at the ready to buy more BTC to maintain your position.
You'll only have to do that until Bitcoin succeeds.
Bitcoin and it's users, the proverbial We, have a great interest, both collective and individual, in spreading Bitcoin far and wide.
We make websites, services, exchanges, spend money, spend time, even re-orient our lives to attempt to pull people into our economy. And for every action there are 3.71 discussions about how to reach the goal. The thing is many of these discussions are premised on a suggestion that fails at the question "And then what?"
Send Bitcoins to Wikileaks. And then what? (well this actually works)
Send Bitcoins to the EFF. And then what? (marginally useful for a limited time but is now impossible)
Get the Red Cross to accept Bitcoins and we'll give them a ton! ... ... And then what!?
Most likely they'll turn them into dollars, euros, or yen and we're back to where we were. In our hubris, we value Bitcoin so highly that we assume the rest of the world will as well if only they had some.
It won't work.
Don't get me wrong, donation is a valuable and noble act. Through donation we can empower people with the resources they need to accomplish their mission. But let's not confuse donation with promotion; the giving of the thing with the receiver valuing that thing, the advertised acceptance of something for donation with a strong, heart-felt endorsement.
How many people actually make a decision about what payment network or currency they use based on which charities accept it?
My goal with this post is not to say let's stop donating. It's good to be charitable if you can afford it.
My wish is instead for people to stop thinking of donation as an effective way to promote Bitcoin. Donation isn't a way to grow the Bitcoin economy.
Economies grow by creating value. When you paint a house, the house is now more valuable. To grow the Bitcoin economy create value in Bitcoin. Provide your goods and services preferentially(that means give a discount) for Bitcoin. Let your customers know you accept Bitcoin and give them a discount (consider the time involved in getting setup with Bitcoin to get this discount...even after that it needs to be worthwhile).
To enable people to create value in Bitcoin, if you have to buy an item or commission a service, look for it first in Bitcoin. Ask if those you're currently paying would accept Bitcoin.
Finally, when you see people who are being proactive in offering goods and services for Bitcoin, support them.
I know. Bitcoins are too valuable to spend. The solution is simple, have your dollars, euros, and yen at the ready to buy more BTC to maintain your position.
You'll only have to do that until Bitcoin succeeds.
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